Title: Believe in Evolution
Author: Dana
Rating: PG
Warnings: Violence
Summary: When the going gets tough, the Shield fall apart.
Spoilers: WWE Main Event 4/9/14 and RAW 4/14/14
Disclaimer: I own no one in this fic.

"You okay man," Seth Rollins asked as Dean Ambrose sauntered into the locker room that the Shield were using.

"Yeah ribs still hurt," Dean Ambrose answered as he gingerly set his bag onto a bench. He had injured his ribs almost two weeks ago during a match with the Wyatts. "Where's Roman?"

"Haven't seen him yet," Seth answered as he watched the older man for a moment. "You sure your ribs are okay?"

"Yeah they'll be fine," Dean said grimacing as he took his shirt off. The beat down by Evolution last week hadn't helped at all. "I just want to get my hands on Orton, Batista, and Helmsley. They can't make a mockery out of the Shield!" He grimaced.

"Calm down before you break another rib, "Roman Reigns said as he entered the locker room. He set his bag down next to Seth's locker. "I saw Bryan and Brie arrive. Bryan said he heard what happened and he'll help us."

The shield got ready in relative silence. Seth and Roman exchanged looks. "Have you had your ribs checked out by Doc yet?" Seth asked.

"I did after our match with the Wyatts. He said they are just bruised."

"Maybe you should have theme checked out again man," Roman said.

"I'm fine," Dean said defiance in his eyes. "I'm not the weak link of the Shield."

"Whoa Dean no one says you are!" Seth said trying to calm his friend down. "I thought you were over that." He said shaking his head. "If what Punk said is still bothering you, remember he was the one who walked out. Besides, none of us are a weak link. You are as tough as either of us but if you've got a busted rib that's different."

There was a knock on the locker room door. "Come in!" Roman called as he and the others stood up waiting for whoever it was on the other side of the door.

Brad Maddox entered looking nervous. Roman flexed his muscles making the General Manage flinch. "The Authority wants to see you in their office." He said clearing his throat.

"So they sent their errand boy to get us," Seth said. Ambrose just smirked and leaned his head down so he was eye to eye with Maddox. Maddox scurried out of the locker room.

"Let's go see what they want," Ambrose said leading the way out of the locker room.

When they arrived at the office they found Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley waiting for them. She was on the phone and waved them in. "They're here. I'll call you back," she said hanging up. She turned her attention to them. "I just wanted to personally let you know that you have a match tonight with Orton and Batista."

"So it's a handicapped match," Seth said in surprise. He liked it but there had to be a catch somewhere.

"Oh no. It's just a match with you and Reigns," she said before turning to Ambrose. "There have been numerous complains that you haven't been defending your US title."

"That's not my fault," Ambrose said. "I don't book…"

"Didn't say it was," Stephanie said quickly. "You will be participating in a gauntlet match with three other wrestlers to be announced later. I think three title defenses should make up for not defending the title don't you?"

Ambrose was seething and barely held in his anger. He didn't like what Stephanie was suggesting. He didn't make the matches. Wasn't that the Authorities job? He would have said something but knew that would get him nowhere. "Fine," he said. He shot Seth a look before he could say anything. They turned around and walked out of the office. They ran right into Triple H who was carrying a bag over his shoulder.

Triple H looked at them with a smirk on his face. He didn't say anything as he walked past them into the office.

The Shield didn't say anything until they were in their locker room. Ambrose started taping up his wrists.

"A gauntlet and tag match?" Seth asked. "What are they up to? I mean it can't be good. I wonder who you're facing Dean."

"Probably Mark Henry, Kane, and Big Show," Ambrose said as he finished getting ready. "I don't care who it is." He reached for his US title and discovered it wasn't there. He started searching his bag but couldn't find the title. "You guys see the US title?" He asked. They shook their heads. "Somebody must have grabbed it." He seethed. He was mad. Who did it? Was that what Hunter had?

There was a knock on the door and then one of the Road Agents stuck their head in the doorway. "Rollins, Reigns, your match is next."

"Worry about the US title later," Reigns suggested, "we've gotta go."

They headed to the entrance where they would enter through the crowd. Just as their music hit, Ambrose saw his US title sitting on a table. "You guys go out there. I'll be right behind you."

There was no time for arguing. Rollins and Reigns went through the crowd. Ambrose went over and grabbed his title. When he turned around, he was face to face with Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erik Rowan.

Notes: I know it's kinda a crazy beginning. It gets even stranger from here.